Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Language

English

Publication Date

2-1-2025

Journal

Journal of Cancer Education

DOI

10.1007/s13187-024-02461-6

PMID

39227532

PMCID

PMC11846703

PubMedCentral® Posted Date

2-1-2026

PubMedCentral® Full Text Version

Author MSS

Abstract

Objective:

Racial/ethnic minorities and women are affected by cancer and cancer risk factors at higher rates; however, they are largely underrepresented in scientific professions focused on health disparities. One way to reduce disparities is to increase diversity within the workforce by planning training activities for minority scholars, paying close attention to community outreach. This paper describes the outcomes of a robust community outreach plan engaging communities in education, research, and clinical trials to increase the number of underrepresented student scholars in cancer disparities research through research training, mentorship, and service-learning activities provided within local organizations.

Methods:

The program provided two cohorts of scholars from underrepresented communities with opportunities to attend seminars, present their research to community representatives, and connect with the local community. Cohort 1 consisting of ten scholars participated in a two-year program that started in the summer of 2018. Cohort 2, consisting of seven scholars, participated in a one-year program starting in June 2020.

Results:

Overall, scholars provided positive feedback on all service-learning program activities and the effectiveness of the program in shaping career interests. New procedures developed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic continued the effective management of all components of the program and helped increase engagement with the community outreach staff.

Conclusion:

The outreach program evaluated here can prepare diverse scholars to enter the workforce with interdisciplinary training for mitigating cancer disparities and serves as a model for planning and implementing similar programs at other institutions.

Keywords

Humans, Mentoring, Minority Groups, Neoplasms, Community-Institutional Relations, Female, Healthcare Disparities, Health Status Disparities, Mentors, Male, UHAND, racial/ethnic minorities, service-learning experience, community shadowing

Published Open-Access

yes

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